Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden, 1893 1893

This silver medal of Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, was made in 1893 by Bart van Hove. It commemorates Wilhelmina's ascendancy to the throne. But, as you can see, she was only thirteen years old at the time. So, her mother Emma served as regent. This medal thus represents a very particular moment in the history of Dutch royalty and the relationship between a mother and daughter. In the Netherlands, the monarchy plays an important symbolic role. It represents national unity and stability. The cultural meaning of the Dutch monarchy is rooted in the country’s history and the royal family’s role in shaping the nation. The imagery, with traditional symbols of royalty like the crown and lions, reinforces the idea of a continuous and legitimate line of succession. To better understand it, one should look at the records of the Dutch Royal House and study the traditions around royal portraiture. The meaning of art lies in understanding the social and institutional context of its creation.